LIVER FUNCTION TESTS IN SECOND AND THIRD TRIMESTER PRIMIGRAVIDA IN NORMAL PREGNANCY AND PREECLAMPSIA

Background: Preeclampsiais a common obstetrical problem affecting 5–10% of pregnant females. The objective of this study was to determine and compare liver function testsin primigravidas in second and third trimesters of normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. Methods: A cross-sectional comparativestudy was conducted that included 100 subjects aged 15–40 years with normal pregnancy, and preeclamptic primigravidas of second and third trimester. Their liver function testswere carried out and comparedamong the study groups. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 25.92±5.56 years, mean systolic BP was 136.3±24.623 mmHg, mean diastolic blood pressure was 87.8±15.736 mmHg. There were statistically significant differences in AST, ALT, ALP, and serum albumin among cases and controls of both 2nd and 3rd trimester (p<0.05). However, serum total bilirubin among preeclamptics of 2nd and 3rd trimesters, and also between controls and preeclamptics of 3rd trimester was significantly increased (p<0.05). Serum AST and ALT were significantly decreased among controls of 3rd trimesters comparedto 2nd trimester while ALP was significantly increased in 3rd trimester controls comparedto 2nd trimester controls. Serum albumin was significantly decreased in both 2nd and 3rd trimester preeclamptics comparedto controls. Conclusion: Serum AST, ALP, and bilirubin was significantly increased in 3rd trimester preeclamptics comparedto 2nd trimester preeclamptics. Keywords: Preeclampsia, liver function tests, primarygravidas Pak J Physiol 2017;13(2):25–8